UMass Boston's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field and wish to pursue a career in nursing. This intensive online program allows you to become a registered nurse with a baccalaureate degree in just 12 months. You will learn from instructors experienced in online education and engage with state-of-the-art simulation and clinical experiences. The program prepares graduates to demonstrate competence and clinical judgment in providing person-centered, culturally sensitive care, focusing on health equity. Graduates will be skilled in integrating evidence into practice, coordinating care across diverse populations and complex health systems, and promoting wellness and managing illness to enhance population health.
The ABSN program is a hybrid program consisting of 54 total credits, delivered over three semesters. Courses follow the UMass Boston academic calendar and include competency checks and multi-modal simulation. Clinical placements will be in various real-world settings in the greater Boston area and regional hospitals, typically one day per week for 8-12 hours. Simulation training occurs on campus at UMB's Center for Clinical Education and Research (CCER) multiple times per semester. Students must live within commuting distance of UMass Boston and local hospitals, or be willing to relocate.
Graduates of the ABSN program are prepared for a variety of roles in the healthcare field. The program aims to equip students with the skills needed to excel in diverse healthcare settings and advance health equity.
Prerequisite courses can be taken at any regionally accredited community college or university. Applicants can use Transferology to determine if courses meet requirements. Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for course equivalency questions. A mandatory in-person orientation at UMass Boston and an online virtual orientation are required after acceptance.
ABSN is a Special Fee program. This cost includes tuition, fees, E-textbooks and resources, a laptop computer, NCLEX prep resources, and nursing supplies. Tuition and fees are subject to change. For detailed information on fees, refer to the Bursar's Office.
The Pre-licensure Nursing program maintains Full Approval Status from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Applicants must hold a conferred bachelor's degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a prerequisite GPA of 3.3. Specific prerequisite courses, such as Anatomy and Physiology I & II with lab, Microbiology with lab, Growth and Development, Nutrition, Statistics, and a Social Behavioral Science elective, are also required.
The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is an intensive 12-month program. It is delivered over three semesters and consists of 54 total credits.
The tuition for the 2024-2025 Academic Year is $700 per credit. Since the program is 54 credits, the total tuition cost is $37,800. This special fee program includes tuition, fees, E-textbooks, a laptop, NCLEX prep, and nursing supplies.
The application deadlines are May 1 for the Fall Semester, September 1 for the Spring Semester, and February 1 for the Summer Semester. Admission decisions are typically sent approximately one month after each deadline.
Graduates of the ABSN program are prepared for roles such as Registered Nurse, Clinical Research Coordinator, Nurse Educator, Public Health Nurse, and Hospital Administrator. The program equips students for diverse healthcare settings and advancing health equity.